Shirt

In the pattern cutting and garment manufacture unit, our next project was to design and make a shirt. This is obviously a pattern cutting project so the design didn't have to be brilliant, just good enough to communicate our ideas and what we wanted the design to look like.

 

 

Our shirts had a certain criteria to meet. It had to have some sort of collar, a cuff and a front opening. The rest of the design is up to us, the designer.

I did a couple of sketches of shirts and then came up with my final design. I knew I wanted it to be fitted so I added in darts to the pattern as the block I used didn't have any. It has a peter pan collar which is one of my favourite collars. I love the way it looks as its feminine yet simple. I also just wanted a ‘fake’ cuff where it wouldn't have an opening as I thought the sleeve would look too much if it had something like a placket opening which I thought wouldn't suit my design.

 

(my own sketch)

Making the pattern for the shirt was fairly easy. I used the fitted shirt block to create the bodice of the shirt. Then I created the sleeve pattern by measuring the length of my own arm, making sure it was a reasonable length. I then created the peter pan collar too, along with the front facing. I found making the pattern was fairly simple and straight forward. In some areas I did have difficulty but this was only a memory issue as I couldn't remember certain things but overall I enjoyed it and am pleased with it.

Overall, it took me two sessions to make my shirt. I feel my strengths are in sewing and the construction side of making the garments. If I take a while making the pattern, I feel I can make the time up when sewing the garment together. I really enjoy sewing it together.

 

(my own pattern)

 

This project has really helped me build upon the knowledge I have on construction and pattern cutting. I have made a shirt before but it was nice to do it again because all practice helps. However, I did make just a few minor mistakes that changed my shirt outcome slightly such as on the button extension on my pattern, I added just 1cm too much for some reason whilst making the pattern. This then changed the distance between the collar points as there was a gap in between where is was supposed to touch. This mistake didnt ruin my final outcome, but it is something that wouldnt take long to check on my pattern before I cut it out in fabric. 

 

 

(mistake on shirt, own photograph)

I feel that I have learnt a lot doing this shirt project and found it useful for us to do. All practice in pattern cutting this year is going to help in the third year. I will take forward this knowledge and see if I can be more independent next year. 

 

(own photograph of finished shirt)